“Thank you.” She ruffled his hair. “But let’s eat supper first.” How she had missed these children, this family of hers. When they asked her the news of town, she told them about finding the envelope and how so many people had come to help clean up the store.
“Do you like working there?” Knute asked.
“I do. I always enjoyed helping Penny at the store. And these last two days, everyone who came in was so appreciative of what we’ve done. It was like one long party.” She touched Sarah on the tip of her turned-up nose. “I have a feeling you might find something you like, for all three of you, in my basket.” She nodded to the basket sitting on a chair by the door. “When we’re done eating.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind at all if you came home.”
Leave it to Gus to invite her in such a roundabout way.
“In fact, he’d be glad,” Dorothy added as she handed Hans his spoon again.
I’m sure you would be too, Rebecca thought. “Thank you, but I think for now, I’ll stay in town. I’m even thinking of putting in a garden in that plot Penny used. The raspberries and strawberries are up.”
“I see. Our house is mighty big for one person.” Gus still didn’t look her in the eye.
“Then maybe you should see about finding yourself a wife,” Dorothy said, sharing a smile with Rebecca. “Your sister spoiled you something fierce.”
“But right now Dorothy needs some help.” Rebecca looked from brother to brother.
“You could take one of the horses into town and ride out every evening if you’d like.”
“Or come home and ride to the store each morning.”
“Or we could hire Mrs. Geddick to come out a couple of times a week and do some cleaning and baking. Or see if Maydell would come back.”
“But why?”
“Knute Baard, don’t you see that this coming baby is being hard on your wife? She should go see Dr. Elizabeth. You should go with her and ask what she recommends.”
“But—”
“But nothing. I’ll do what I can, and I’ll let some of the other women know, but that’s one reason so many women die in childbirth. The women are just too tired to—”
“Rebecca Baard, this isn’t proper talk for a young woman or for our supper table.” Knute sat up straighter. “Can I please have another cup of coffee?”
Rebecca almost said, “Well, help yourself,” but thought the better of it. Instead, she smiled sweetly and got up for the coffeepot. But she whispered in his ear when she filled his cup, “You think on what I said if you want Dorothy here to raise your children.”
After filling the other cups, she motioned for Sarah to get the basket. “I think there’s enough for everyone to have a bit. Then, Swen, you get me a kitten, please. Gus, you get the horse, and I’ll see you all tomorrow evening.” She glared at both of her brothers. “And I sure hope someone has seen fit to make sure Dorothy takes a nap during the day.”
“I think the gray kitten is prettier. She’s fluffy with white paws.” Swen came with a kitten in the basket and stood beside her.
“I think you are right,” Rebecca said after peeking at it.
Sarah passed out the peppermint candies and leaned against Rebecca’s knees. “Next year I go to school.”
“I know. You are getting to be so grown up.” Rebecca hugged her little niece.
“Do you need anything else?” Gus asked after he boosted her into the saddle.
“Not at the moment, but I do need some more kitchen supplies. Penny took all but the stove with her, and that man never cooked, so I’ll make a list and get some each night.” The scratching sound from inside the basket made her smile. “Thanks for the kitten.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll bring in some hay for the horse.”
She waved and set off toward town. Halfway there, she realized that God had indeed answered her prayer in ways she’d never imagined. She’d expected a loud confrontation, and He gave her a quiet peace. She was beginning to understand what her mother and Ingeborg meant about prayers. Looking toward the heavens, she whispered, “T hank you, oh, thank you so much. You do listen and answer.”
When she got back to the store, after tying the horse in the shed, she found a note tacked to the door. Sorry I missed you. If you need more help, let me know. Your friend, Gerald. She felt a rush of pure happiness. After his long day he’d come to see her.
She set the basket with the kitten on the table and went to find a box to keep it in until she tamed it. While the children petted the barn kittens and played with them, they weren’t well-mannered enough to be house cats. Hence the box with a lid, and in the morning she’d fill a small box with sand for the kitten to use. Maybe if she crocheted a leash and collar, she could keep track of it that way.
“You sweet little thing, what am I going to call you.” She held the kitten in her arms and stroked her back and head. “Mischief? Miss Chief? After all, you’re the only animal here. Mischief. That’s it.” Touching noses with the little creature, she cuddled her close. “You better grow up to be a good mouser like your mother. I hate mouse traps.”
In the lamplight she made a list of things she needed from home and added to the order she would send in the next morning. The thought of doing that herself made her heart pick up speed like a sled going downhill. What if she made a mistake? Ordered something that never sold? Spent too much money? Couldn’t keep the books straight? Although on that last, she shook her head. Anyone could keep better records than Jeffers had. Other than what people owed him. That was in detail to the penny. Which led to another question. How was she to collect that? Or should she just let it all go? But then, that decision was not hers to make but Thorliff ’s. After all, he was the owner. What would Penny do? The question sat in her mind, smiling sweetly.
It’s not my decision.
So much hinged on whether Penny would buy the store or not. And if not? She closed her eyes and let her mother’s voice answer the questions. “Be not concerned for the morrow, today’s own troubles are sufficient. Consider the lilies of the field, they neither toil nor spin, and yet your heavenly Father arrays them in beauty.” Soon the violets would be blooming and the bluebells. And they were beautiful. Surely she could trust God as her mother had. After all, He did indeed hear her prayers and answer them.
“Thank you, Lord. My brothers don’t hate me, and I love them so dearly.” The kitten in her lap stretched and yawned, its pink tongue curling between white needle teeth. “And I have a friend here.” She thought back to the cleaning day and to Monday, the opening day. For certain sure, she had friends and blessings in abundance.
By Saturday night she felt as though she’d lived three lives, between tending the store, riding out each night to check on Dorothy, and getting ready for the girls’ party. At least Knute seemed to be taking a little more responsibility for his wife’s health.
Saturday night Ellie was the first to arrive on the back porch, along with her baby, Gudrun May, and then Astrid, Sophie, and Maydell.
Rebecca stared at Maydell. “You came back. I thought you’d be gone for a long time.”
“I couldn’t miss out on this party. Besides, there is so much more to do here than in Grafton.”
Sophie nudged Rebecca. “She means Gus. You want to bet?”
“Well, let me tell you, there is a lot going on. We sure would appreciate it if you went back out to help Dorothy.” She paused, catching a funny look in Maydell’s eyes. “Don’t worry. The men are all right again. They just needed a dose of forgiveness to get over the grumps.”
Maydell tipped her head to the side. “Well, if you are sure.”
“Gus even said that house was too big for one person.”
“You won’t be going back?”
“I don’t think so.”
“So it all depends on how well you use your feminine wiles,” Sophie said with raised eyebrows. “And how bad you want Gus, I guess.”
The look on Maydell’s face made them all laugh.
“Did you make your list?” Astrid asked Maydell. “Like we all agreed?”
“Oh, I made my list, but it only had one name on it.” She put one finger to her chin. “Although maybe I should go visit Penny. That Kurt sounds like a real catch.”
Not compared to Gerald, Rebecca thought. But this comment she kept to herself.
Everyone brought food, thanks to Sophie’s putting out the word, so Rebecca hadn’t had to think on that. As Sophie had said, “That’s what friends are for.” For Rebecca the term friends had taken on a whole new meaning. She wished she could tell them about all the things she’d learned lately, but it would take too long.
“We have to do this again when Grace gets home,” Sophie said as soon as Deborah arrived. “She has missed out on so much.”
“I think she loves what she is doing.”
“I know she does, but Blessing is home and where all the important things go on.” Sophie stopped and clapped her hand over her mouth. Eyes wide, she shook her head. “Can you believe I said such a thing? I was the one who wanted to see the whole world, yet I found it all when I came back here. God sure is amazing, is He not?”
Rebecca nodded. “He gave me all of you for sisters since mine went off and left so long ago.”
“Speaking of Anji, are the Moens coming back here at all?”
“I don’t know. They still have their house here, but Ivar seems to prefer Norway. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard from her in a long time. I need to write to her with all the news here.”
“So give us the grand tour of the store,” Deborah said, locking her arm through Rebecca’s. “Everyone is raving about it.”
“Really?” She held back the drape. “Come and see.” She showed them all the changes she had made and stopped at the cash register. “You should have seen the drawer fly out. It threw money everywhere. I swept up some more change this morning.”
“Where is the envelope now?”
“Thorliff has it. We have no way of getting it to Jeffers.”
Sophie made a face. “T hat skunk doesn’t deserve getting it back.”
“I know, but we will do the honorable thing.” At least the thought of him didn’t send her heart into high speed any longer. Although the night before she’d had a nightmare about him again.
“Did you hear from Penny?” Astrid asked, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. “This place looks so good again. I’m glad she didn’t see it the way he left it.”
“Me too, but we’ve not heard back yet. I know Mrs. Valders is pestering Thorliff. She wants very badly to buy it.”
They all trailed back to the kitchen, where the quilts were folded and stacked against one wall. Rebecca lifted the kitten out of her box. “This is my latest friend. Her name is Mischief.”
“Oh, so cute.” Maydell reached for the kitten and cuddled her under her chin. “Did you talk with your brothers?”
“Yes, the other day. That’s how I know all is well.”
“Gus doesn’t pay any attention to me, and I’ve tried everything,” Maydell complained, fanning her cheeks.
“Well, perhaps you could cook him some special things. He likes good food.”
They helped themselves to the bread and cheese, deviled eggs and pickles, cookies and coffee, and since there were not enough chairs, they all sat cross-legged on their quilts on the floor. Mischief scampered from one to the other, sniffing the plates and trying out her claws.
“Thinking back to our last party, Rebecca, your life certainly has changed. What happened with that man in Bismarck?”
“I don’t know. Kurt said he would write, but I haven’t heard from him.”
“Did you write to him?”
“I did and thanked him for showing me such a nice time.”
“Was he handsome?” Maydell asked.
Rebecca nodded. “And charming and—”
“I hear a but in your voice.” Sophie leaned forward, eyes narrowed.
Rebecca studied the crumbs on her plate and then looked up. “But I realized he wasn’t Gerald,” she said in a soft voice.
Sophie threw her head back and stared at the ceiling. “But does he love you?” She paused and looked at Rebecca again. “Do you really love him?”
“I think so.”
“But …” Sophie looked around the circle. “What about his mother?” They all nodded and groaned.
Rebecca nuzzled her kitten, who’d decided to sleep in the lap she knew best. What about his mother? How could she ever win Hildegunn Valders over? Surely the debt of gratitude he felt for her taking him in as a child would not take precedence over his feelings for Rebecca. That is, if indeed he felt more than friendship.
“You need to find out if he loves you before you go pinning all your hopes on him.” Maydell got up and brought the plate of cookies back to pass around.
“What am I supposed to do? Go up to him and say, ‘Say, Gerald. Do you love me? Not just as a friend, but in a romantic way?’ “
The girls giggled.
“You could mention you had a letter from Kurt.” Maydell had a cookie in each hand, taking a bite out of one, then the other.
“But that would be lying.”
“Only a little fib.”
Rebecca shook her head. Surely she wouldn’t have to stoop to that. She couldn’t. Then she’d be twisting the truth, just like Jeffers had. Besides, Gerald was her best friend, and friends don’t lie to each other. She’d rather follow the way her mother had and do some more praying. Lots more praying. After all, look at the miracle with Gus and Knute.
34
“PENNY’S COMING BACK,” INGEBORG announced at dinner a few days later. “She says she and the children will come as soon as school is out, and Hjelmer will finish out his job the end of June. I guess she will go back to help move.” Ingeborg thought a moment. “She wasn’t clear on all the details.”
“That is good news.” Haakan sat down with a groan. “I never knew plowing took so much strength. It just seemed so much easier with the horses pulling the two bottom plows than it was with the walking plow.”
Ingeborg read the note again then stared at her husband while she put it back in the envelope. Though he’d washed off most of the dirt, the gray around his eyes and mouth gave him away.
“Well, the first couple of days you couldn’t make it to noon. Now you have. I’d say that is great progress.” The fatigue showing on his face tore at her heart.
“I’ve … never been this tired … in my entire life.” Each word came slowly, as if with great effort. “I don’t think I can even eat.”
“You don’t have to do this, Far. We can manage for a while. After all, we’re not usually out in the field this early.” Andrew shook his head. “Give yourself a few more days. You are getting stronger every day.”
“Say the grace.”
Several minutes later, Haakan laid down his knife and fork. “Andrew, help me get up, will you please, and into bed? I can’t eat any more.”
Ingeborg rose and went into the bedroom to turn down the covers. When Andrew and Haakan got there, he started unbuttoning his shirt.
“Just lie down.”
“I can’t in these dirty clothes.” He ripped at the buttons on his shirt. “Please. Help me.”
They helped him, and she was sure he was asleep before he hit the bed. Ingeborg covered him with the quilt and watched him for a moment. Lord, protect him, please. Surely this is not good for him to be so exhausted. “He is so stubborn.” Andrew sank back down in his chair at the table.
“I keep praying for God to protect him.”
“If only I could depend on him to quit before he gets so tired. He wanted me to tie him onto the plow.”
“That might be safer.”
“No. Safer is quitting while you are able.” He looked up at her. “You’ll have to talk with him, Mor.”
She tipped her head forward and shook her head slowly and gently. “Maybe if all three of us, well, four including Lars, try at
the same time, he might get the idea.”
“If something happens to him out there, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Tell him that. He would not want you to feel that responsibility.”
Andrew chewed slowly, narrow eyes focused on the table. Ingeborg watched him, seeing Roald in this son of his. He used to do that same thing when thinking deeply.
“How about this? We say for the next two days, he needs to limit himself to two hours of plowing. If he can handle that, then we can add another half hour every two days until he is working till noon. When he gets stronger, he can come back out later in the afternoon after a rest.”
“All we can do is try.”
“Good. We’ll all talk on this again this evening. I don’t want to go through another time like this.” Andrew buttered a slice of bread. “Trygve said he’d gladly stay home from school to plow.”
“I remember you offering the same thing.” She passed him the meat and gravy. How she longed for the first of the new potatoes, and they were not even in the ground yet. Good thing she had canned so many of the smaller ones. “Maybe Astrid will be able to take a break and go looking for dandelion greens pretty soon.”
“Those south of the barn are usually the first up, but they’re not big enough to eat yet. Give them another week.”
“Next year I am going to make a cold frame on the south side of the house, you know, like I saw in that magazine.”
“What? You’ll be out tending it in the snow?” he asked.
“If I have to. What must it be like to live in a climate where the snow doesn’t last into April.”
“Or May. Remember last year the frost got the beans in mid-May.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms over his head. “I don’t know how Far is doing it. I’m tired and achy, and I’m young. Spring is always like this. Time to get your muscles and hands toughened up again.” He pushed his chair back. “I heard Lars go by, so I better get out there. I’ll send Ellie over with the children in case Far gets restless. Carl thinks Gampa’s stories are the best.”
Ingeborg watched him go out the door. It seemed like only yesterday when he’d been sapling thin, and now his shoulders were as broad as Haakan’s, and he stood an inch or so taller. She hoped Roald was able to look down from heaven and see his fine sons.
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